Question

A 3 column table with 4 rows. The first column is labeled Satellite with entries, A, B, C, D. The second column is labeled mass in kilograms with entries, 375, 250, 50, 500. The last column is labeled Distance from Earth in kilometers with entries, 320, 320, 320, 320.
Which satellite has the greatest gravitational force with Earth?

Earth and Satellite A
Earth and Satellite B
Earth and Satellite C
Earth and Satellite D

Answer 1

Gravitational force F = G M_earth m / r^2. All satellites are the same distance, so F ∝ m. The largest mass is 500 kg (Satellite D).

Answer: Earth and Satellite D.